Tenor Brian Downen has great success in the bel canto leading roles of Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini. In the 2015-16 season he debuts at The Metropolitan Opera in Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux as Lord Cecil. Additional performances include Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Teatr Wielki in Poznan, Poland and Pensacola Opera; Don Pasquale and The Elixir of Love for Opera Saratoga; La Cenerentola for Columbus Opera, Elvino in La Sonnambula, Rossini’s Il Cambiale di Matrimonio with Opera Omaha.

Brian Downen is a frequent recitalist and soloist in major oratorios and symphonic works with orchestras nationwide. “Downen’s thrilling tenor voice rang out, against accompaniment in French horn and trombones.” (Greenwich Citizen)

Highly regarded for his performances of the bel canto operatic repertoire, Brian Downen makes his Metropolitan Opera debut in the spring of 2016 as Lord Cecil in Donizetti's Roberto Devereux. He has sung leading roles in more than 60 productions for opera houses in the U.S., Europe and Canada. Recent highlights include performances of Damon in Handel's Acis and Galatea with the Bhutan Opera Project (performing in the Kingdom of Bhutan for the 50th wedding anniversary of the king and queen), Crepusculo/Zeriffo in the American premiere of Cavalli's Veremonda with Spoleto Festival USA and multiple performances of Don Ramiro in Rossini's La Cenerentola.